August Greetings

Hello everyone, sorry I have not blogged for a long while. I have been busy with my research work. I will be back to normal blogging soon. I hope August has been a wonderful month for you? For those who the month has not been good for, God is in control and for those the month has been a blessing to, continue to give thanks to God. love you all and will be back with fabulous new stuff.

My thoughts

I was just wondering why some countries have pulled through and are doing great and some are not. China and India are just great examples. Their determination and strive to be developed has just paid off. Now they are respected and given great status in the international scene. Africa I believe has refused to make any progress. What the leaders seem to be interested in is their selves. The natural resource God has blessed that continent with is now a curse. Many of the wars in Africa are just because of who wants to control the resources (greedy lot). It is not about how to developed and leave a better country for our children. Africa is rich in material resources but poor in human resources (in my own opinion). Imagine a president or head of state impoverishing, maltreating, exploiting his own people. Imagine people on the top level of government squandering wealth and bringing it to developed countries that already have plenty. Even now the developed world does not want to be part of any of those dirty money.

When these so greedy monsters come to developed countries, they go back not making any changes to the already deteriorating state of affairs in their home country. My prayers is that God will have mercy and bring good leaders, good policies and good initiatives that will help establish Africa as one of the leading continents in the world.

Too Bad

Sometimes, when I read certain things in the paper about Nigeria, it is like there is no hope left for that country. I was just going through the papers and I read that gunmen in Nigeria have kidnapped the elder brother of Nigerian and Everton football star Joseph Yobo. Norum Yobo was kidnapped from his hotel in Port Harcourt. I honestly feel saddened that this case of kidnapping and causing unnecessary pain to innocent citizens is still ongoing in Nigeria. I mean it is a crime in the first place to violate another person's freedom. I feel so ashamed that not only is this a criminal offence but an act that puts everyone from Nigeria in a bad light. Nigerian government have done wrong not only to the Niger-deltans but to all. Everybody wants a piece of the national cake but only few want to contribute any positive thing to the nation. God has given Africans all the necessary resources to live a good life but we are under utilising all our resources. I pray for the family of Norum and also for Norum himself. Only God knows what the man is going through.

Prague the beautiful city

These Pictures where taken in Prague. It is such a beautiful country. I hope and wish Nigeria will one day be known for the lovely cities and beautiful people that make it rather than the likes of Nigerians such as John Wilmots who tried to pocket £17.5million in a fraudulent manner even though he is a barrister and could easily live confortable from his wages. Anyhow please enjoy the photos and have a lovely day.

Racism v tribalism

I was in Prague last week and I was so amazed at how people in the country were staring at me as if they have not yet come in contact with a black person. The first night there, the looks I was getting began to make me nervous. Some one said to me not to worry that they were admiring me. I carried on, saying to myself that I should just relax and maybe they are admiring me or they have not truly been exposed to many black people. The second day, I still got lots of stares, I mean these stares where just like some one ripping your clothes off and just looking at every single part of your body. They never took their eyes off me even when I stared back. The third day I was getting irritated and annoyed by this behaviour I considered rude. I started feeling low, and I started feeling like something was wrong with me. Why will they not stop staring at me? I mean even though they have not seen black people on the streets surely they have seen movie stars and musicians who were black on TV? What broke my heart was that the children who were supposed to be innocent stared at me in the same manner as the grown up. I loved the country. It was such a beautiful country with lots of historic buildings and places to go to. I loved the summer weather. It was just as hot as in Africa. But all these beauty, I couldn’t wait to go back home. I just wanted to leave and not have people stare at me as if I was a creature from space. It may not have been a racist look, it may have just been curiosity and just sheer amazement at another human being with another colour but for me, it felt really scary. No one came to me or said any profanities but the looks I got, I did not like it. It made me feel for one minute that before they even got to know me, I have been stereotyped because of the colour of my skin. I may be wrong in my analysis. It may just be me and my paranoia but I have never gotten such stares in my life before.

Well with all that gone now, please do visit Prague. It is such a lovely and beautiful country. I will put some pictures later. I was discussing this incidence with a friend of mine and he said well anywhere one goes especially if it is not your country, one will get such feelings. He now said to me, which is worst, Racism or tribalism? God help me in this world!

exposure

I could not help laughing after I read this. This is a must to share with you all. The title of what I read in Nigerian Vanguard is "Senate seeks public views on three-month jail term for indecently-dressed ladies". I was just dumb founded that Nigerian senators have the time to let ladies dress wear take center attention and sideline other issues such as poverty and how to deal with the root cause of poverty, robbery, and the negative image of the country etc.

Anyway, to continue with this ridiculous story, Senator Ekaette’s bill defines public nudity as

a. State of nakedness in the public or open;

b. State of indecent dressing which expose in the public or in the open any of the following parts of the human body:

i. The breast of a female above the age of 14 years;

ii. The laps of a female above the age of 14 years;

iii. The belly and or waist of a female above the age of 14 years;

iv. Any part of the body from two (2) inches below the shoulders downwards to the knee of a female person above the age of 14 years;

v. Any part of the body of the male person above the age of 14 years from the waist to the knee;

c. Any form of dressing with a transparent cloth or clothing in the public or the open which exposes any part of the body from two inches below the shoulders level downward to the knee of a female person above the age of 14 years; provided that exposure of the hands of the female person above the age of 14 years shall not be construed as public nudity.

d. Any form of dressing with a transparent cloth or clothing which exposes any part of the body of the male person above the age of 14 years from the waist to the knee in the public or open.

I cannot fathom this honestly. On the same paper, there was a report that armed men killed more than 10 people in a raid. What are the senators doing about this? Why should innocent citizens die just going about their business? What happened to comforting the broken, those who lost their loved ones in such attack. What happened to promises made during election campaign? How important is what a lady wears to issues on the ground? This is just a good case of Black man and what he prioritizes. Have a lovely day!!!!!

But why?

I was in London yesterday and I must say, the whole place was bubbling with different ethnic group, you can literally see the wealth these people bring into the country. People come from all over the world to see some historic land marks in London. I must say I am not a huge fan of London. I find the place not friendly and it doesn't help with the huge crowd every where. I was just thinking to myself as I was walking around London yesterday that my country can be like this if we are serious about development. God has blessed us with everything from the weather to the natural resources. We have the land, the beaches, the seaside, the culture name it we all have it.

My problem is that we have leaders who constantly travel abroad, they see all these wonders in the world and when they come back home, their great idea is to loot the money to already rich countries. Niger Delta area in Nigeria could be a big money maker, with the sea they are blessed with, the oil etc. The governors need not wait for federal government for money. They could generate big money through tourism and give that area and its people good life. Same thing goes for other states and areas in Nigeria.

I dream of a day that we all (not only Nigerian but Africans in whole) will wake up and start rebuilding this great land.

Meanwhile some stories from the newspaper, this lady was sent to jail for fraudulently claiming benefit and then buying houses with it with her daughter. I really don't understand why some people cannot hold on to their integrity.

what has race got to do with love

Another weekend is here. Here is wishing you all a fantastic weekend. I was going through my mail and got this article about race and inter-racial relationship. Many of my friends have different views on it but I believe everyone should just be open to where love comes from. What are the great things about inter-racial relationships and what are the not so great things about it? Is it not the same issues that affect same race relationships? Have a fantastic weekend.

Hip hop to blame?

I hope you all had a lovely weekend? A lot has happened over the weekend. In London there was the tragic murder of Rob Knox. The 18-year-old died when he and four friends became involved in a fight with a man armed with two knives outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup. One newspaper said 2 black men got out of the car and went straight to them in the bar Rob and his friends where relaxing.

Today’s paper said hip hop is to be blamed. Some say these young kids need role models etc. Hip hop, role models are just not the underpinning causes of gangster culture or knife culture. These barbaric animals that carry knives and guns and kill innocent citizens are the outcome of their own lack of integrity. Some are so quick to blame institutions, racism, poverty for the rise in gang culture but I believe the power of change is in every one’s hand. You make your destiny what it is. What stops a child from getting educated especially in the UK? What stops them from learning a trade or being busy doing something, thinking up new ideas, working on ideas? If these stupid boys who are busy doing nothing had been busy, they would not have the time to carry guns and knives looking for people to kill.

It seems people have forgotten the supreme nature of the human soul and think they have the power to take it away from others anytime their anger rises. I know what it is like to be attacked. I have been in a situation where two Nigerian guys attacked me on the bus in Manchester. It was an unprovoked attack. These idiots look for ways to bully one or make one react so they can have an excuse to use their weapons. I have no regards for those people who do not respect human lives. May God give Rob’s family the strength to bear the loss. Amen.

NGO information

Hello people,I really need you all to help with my research. I need to speak to NGOs and communities in Nigeria. I found some articles on the eco village in Odi in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. I need to hear from members of that community. So if anyone of you is from that area or you know someone from there, I would appreciate any contact information. Common people, Lily needs your help. I want to know what the people of Odi think of NGO work in their communities. That would help my research. If anyone of you knows of any community that NGOs have built houses can you please let me know? A friend has referred me to habitat for humanities which I plan to use for my case study but now I need the members of the communities. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. God bless

Culture shock

I know many people in Africa believe in witchcraft and believe that it exists. Many people believe that witches are the source of evil in either their homes or communities. I am sure if we dig deep even the so called posh Africans would name witches in their hometowns or families. Well, everyone is free to believe in what they want but it is unacceptable when they take the law into their hands and start killing people just because they suspect them of witchcraft. This is what happened in Kisii region in Kenya’s capital near Nairobi. The newspaper reported that at least 11 people were burned alive by a crowd after being accused of witchcraft. The victims include eight women and three men with age ranging from between 70 and 96. Doesn’t this sound barbaric? How can a group of people just kill people just because they believe they are witches? I do not understand the logic of some people honestly. How is the killing going to help improve their standard of living? I always say these culprits have nothing to do and do not want to use their minds and innovate new things. I hope justice prevails and these hooligans locked up for life as they are no longer humans and would kill again. At the end of the day, they showed they are more evil than the innocent people that they killed. Who gave them the power to kill and in whose name did they kill for?

What a shame

Is it me or is anyone thinking the same thoughts as to what is happening in South Africa? I was just ashamed of what is going on there and I cannot but feel sorry for the poor ‘immigrants’ that have lost their lives to these animals that go about killing their fellow human beings. I was horrified that a group of South Africans took upon themselves to kill immigrants that are taking away their so called jobs from them. Some of these immigrants are people who have fled Zimbabwe because of the harsh economic and political environment. Instead of these hooligans to seat down and innovate ways of bringing money into their economy, they took to the streets. What a shame that African will rise up and destroy their fellow brothers and sisters. Look at the picture of these people who do not know the benefits of immigration. What if their fellow country people go through the same treatment elsewhere in the world? These so called jobs they are talking about, who owns them? I bet these jobs have nothing to do with their innovative minds. If these hooligans where innovative, they could make money from the growing number of immigrants in the country. It only concurs with theory that the black man does not have a high level of intelligence. Who is to blame? Is it the government that has left these people to become who they are or does the blame go to each individual person for not using common sense? Blacks in Africa should learn to give positive image about themselves. No need to take up arms and start killing your fellow human being when things do not go your way.

God I need some answers

Is it possible for one to believe in God and then question his existence when hard/difficult time comes and we want Him to show himself? I have been bombarded with images of destruction, pain, and mourning. The images on TV just make me want to speak to God and know why so many people are dying or have to die. I know God’s ways are not our ways and our ways not his. Thousands died in Burma and another in China. Let’s not even go to how many souls that dies on a daily basis in Africa. I love GOD, I seek to be close to him yet I am not too sure if he will be happy with my questioning why things are happening.

Information on NGOs

Hello all, I am sorry I have not been able to publish any posts for sometime now. I have been very busy with presentations at different conferences. I hope you all have a lovely week and just before you leave, I would love to know what you think of non governmental organisations (NGOs) as a mechanism for technology transfer. My dear Comrade left me a well written reply of what he thinks of them. I think he has got some point there. I will examine his views and compare it with that of literature. NGO is my area of interest and I find it really interesting that we have over 2000 NGOs in Nigeria. So if you know of any NGOs involved in technology transfer, I would be happy to have some contact details so I can interview them or get some documents from them. Thanks all and I will be waiting for all your information. I don’t mind if the NGO is international or local just as long they are involved in technology transfer. Have a lovely weekend.

The way I see it

Zimbabwe’s ruling party has been confirmed as the winner of the first of 23 constituencies. So, after not bringing any tangible benefit to the people he ruled for more than two decade, this man does not want to let his people be? How heartless can one be? We have seen and heard how the poor people in Zimbabwe are suffering, how scared they are to live life. Oh my God, save Africans from themselves. How can one not want to bring change to the people one serves? I always said the leaders in Africa have a lot to account for. Greed, selfishness, love of power, lack of intelligence are some factors that stop these leaders thinking straight. My prayers are with the poor masses who have to suffer the brunt of all these.


Meanwhile in another part of the continent, an estimated 300,000 people may have died as a result of the Darfur conflict. That is a lot of souls isn’t it? The conflict has gone on for a very long time and it gets to a time when every one will get tired of hearing the same story over and over again. How can there be development when the people don’t want to develop? How can there be development when the people despise their land and the fellow people in it?


On another news, the Federal Government on Wednesday initiated discussions with the United Kingdom on ways and means to repatriate over 1,600 Nigerian prisoners in British prisons. Do we need these criminals to add to the problems of Nigeria? These people left the shores of Africa, came to a land where they could have made a difference to their families and be good ambassadors, instead, they chose to live up to the stereotype. 1,600 is an awful amount of criminals. I am tired of people who make being Nigeria a shameful thing. The country is a fantastic country with wonderful people of integrity. It’s only a shame the ones we see or hear about are the ones who tarnish the good image.

I hope you are all having a lovely week? Do take care.